Orienting and locking conductor



June 14, 1966 R. D. BARTON 3,255,823

ORIENTING AND LOCKING CONDUCTOR Filed April 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 TIE INVENTOR 30 ROBERT a BARTON 7O BV W ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 R. D. BARTON 3,255,823

ORIENTING AND LOCKING CONDUCTOR Filed April 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINVENTOR ROBERT D. BARTON ATTORNEY I E. F

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ORIENTING AND LOCKING CONDUCTOR Filed April 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ROBERT D. BARTON F'II3 q ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 R- D. BARTON ORIENTING AND LOCKING CONDUCTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 5, 1963 T R NB 0 Wu T mm m fiv F Q9 00. $0.? w Mm 9m wm \QZN N9 MN; w: mix: w: m: 09 MN.

m mi-H- United States Patent 3,255,823 ORIENTING AND LGCKING CONDUCTOR Robert D. Barton, Houston, Tex., assignor to FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 270,266 2 Claims. (Cl. 16685) The present invention pertains to an orienting and locking conductor and more particularly to a conductor for providing fluid communication with an annulus in a well head and for orienting and locking apparatus within the head.

An object of the present invention is to provide a conductor that simultaneously performs the functions of locking and orienting a casing hanger bushing, or other apparatus, in a well casinghead and establishes fluid communication between the exterior of said casinghead and the interior of said bushing.

Another object is to provide such a device that is safe and easy to operate.

Another object is to reduce the number of openings which must be made in the casinghead of a high pressure well.

Another object is to provide -a locking, orienting and conducting device that has a minimum of parts.

These and other objgects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a well head including orienting and locking conductors embodying the present scale the lower one-third of the well head shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an axial section illustrating on a larger H scale the center one-third of the well head shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged axial section illustrating the upper one-third of the well head shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken on a plane at a position indicated by line 5-5 in FIGURE 4 and illustrates one orienting and locking conductor of the present invention in the casinghead.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the same plane as FIGURE 5 and shows a detent mechanism in locked position.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section taken on a plane at a position indicated by line 7-7 in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a portion of the nut shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7.

Referring now to the drawings, a casinghead 10 (FIG. 1) is connected to the upper end of a surface casing 12, and a tubing head 14 is mounted on the upper end of the casinghead 10. The casing'head 10 includes a flange 16 which is connected to a flange 18 of the tubing head 14 by several studs 19 and nuts 24). A Christmas tree, partially illustrated and identified by number 21, is connected to the upper end of the tubing head 14 by studs 22.

The casinghead 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) has two diamet' rically opposed bosses 24 and 25 on the lower end thereof. Each boss contains a threaded opening. such as the opening 26 in the boss 24 and the opening 27 in the boss 25 for communicating with an elongate annular space 28 defined by the surface casing 12 and a casing 30 of smaller diameter than the surface casing and concentrically mounted therewithin. The casing 30 is referred to hereinafter as the outer casing.

The outer casing 30 is hung in the casinghead 10 on an outer casing hanger assembly 32 which assembly includes a resilient annular seal 34 for sealing between the exterior surface of the casing 30 and the interior surface 4 present 3,255,823 Patented June 14, 1966 ice of the casinghead 10. The outer casing hanger assembly 32 rests on an annular. shoulder 36 in the casinghead 10 and can be retained thereagainst by use of several locking pins 38 which are threaded and have tapered inner ends 38a that enter an annular shallow V shaped groove 40 in the outer circumferential surface of the outer casing hanger assembly 32.

Resting on top of the casing hanger assembly 32 (FIG. 3) is an annular outer casing hanger bushing 42. 0- rings 44 and 45 seal the bushing 42 to the interior surface of the c-asinghead 1t and O-rings 46 and 47 seal the bushing 42 to the exterior surface of the upper end of the outer casing 30. The bushing has a pair of diametrically opposed openings 48 (FIG-3) that permit communication with an elongate annular space 49 defined by the outer casing 30 and a casing 5th, of smaller di ameter than the outer casing 30 and hung concentrically therewithin. The casing 50 is referred to hereinafter as the inner casing.

The casinghead 10 includes two diametrically opposed bosses 51 and 52, each of which has a bore receiving an orienting and locking conductor 53 embodying the invention. The conductors 53 individually register with and are adapted to project into the openings 48 to orient and lock the bushing 42 in the casinghead 10 and to establish fluid communication, through the axially bored conductors 53 and aligned openings 48, with the elongate annular space 49.

The inner casing 50 (FIG. 3) is hung in the casinghead-10 on an inner casing hanger assembly 54. The hanger assembly 54 includes a resilient annular seal 56 which rests on the outer casing hanger bushing 42 and seals the exterior surface of the inner casing 50 to the interior surface of the casinghead 10. The inner casing hanger assembly 54 is locked in the casinghead 10 by locking pins 58 which have tapered inner ends 5801 that project into an annular shallow V-shaped groove 59 in the inner casing hanger assembly 54.

Resting on the inner casing hanger assembly 54 (FIG. 4) is an annular inner casing hanger bushing 60.. 0- rings 62 and 63 seal the bushing to the interior surface of the casinghead 10, and O-rings 64 and 65 seal the bushing to the exterior surface of the inner casing 50 adjacent to the upper end thereof. The inner casing hanger bushing 60 includes a pair of diametrically opposed openings 67 and 68 (FIG. 4) through the side wall thereof, the opening 67 being also shown in FIG. 5. The openings 67 and 68 communicate with an elongate annular space 69 defined by the inner casing 59 and a production tubing 70 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of smaller diameter than the inner casing 50 and hung concentrically therewithin.

The casinghead 10 is provided with two diametrically opposed bosses 71 and 72 (FIGS. 1 and 4) having bores 86 that receive orienting and locking condutcors 73 and 74, respectively. The conductors 73 and 74 register with and are adapted to extend into the openings 67 and 68, respectively, to orient and lock the bushing 60 in the easinghead 10 and to establish fluid communication with the elongate annular space 69.

The production tubing 70 is connected by threads 70a to a tubing hanger 75, and the tubing hanger 75 is connected by threads 75a to the tubing head 14. The exterior surface of the production tubing 70 is sealed to the interior surface of the inner casing hanger bushing 60 by an annular seal assembly 76.

Each of the conductors 73 and 74 is provided with an axial bore 82 (FIG. 4) therein and a tapered inner end 84. Since conductors 73 and 74 are identical, only conductor 73 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is described in detail below.

Thus, resilient annular seal rings and 91 (FIG. 5), located in circumferential grooves 92 and 93 in the con ductor 73, seal the conductor 73 to the surface of the bore'86. The conductor 73 includes an enlarged shank portion 96 which has an operating nut 100 mounted thereon. The nut 100 is retained on the shank 96 between a spacer ring 102 and a retainer snap-ring 103. The spacer ring 102 abuts an annular shoulder 104 of an enlarged threaded portion 105 projecting radially outward from the shank portion, and the retainer snap-ring 103 fits into a circumferential groove 106 in the shank portion. The nut 100 engages threads 108 in the boss 71 and, depending on the direction of nut rotation, bears against either the spacer ring 102 or the retainer snap-ring 103 for axially retracting or advancing the conductor 73 in the bore 86.

The conductor 74 on the right in FIG. 4 is shown in its retracted position. In the retracted position, the inner end 84 of the conductor 74 is withdrawn sufficiently to permit the insertion or removal of the inner casing hanger bushing 60. It will be noted that with the conductor 74 retracted and during such insertion or removal, pressurized fluid is prevented from escaping, by the seal rings 90 and 91 and by a plug 110 screwed in the outer end of the conductor 74. A protector cap 112 (FIG. 4) is screwed on the outer enlarged threaded portion 105 of the conductor 74 to protect the threads.

Accidental removal of the operating nut 100 and the conductor 73 from the bore 86 is prevented by a detent mechanisrn 113 (FIGS. 5-7). The detent mechanism 113 includes a ball 114 received in a hole 115 in the boss 71, the ball being urged by a spring 117 to enter a suitable depression or socket 116 (FIG. 8) in the thread on the nut 100. The depression 116 (FIG. 5) is positioned to receive the spring-loaded ball 114 during the retraction of the conductor 73 by the nut 100. The ball 114 enters the socket 116 on the nut when the conductor 73 is retracted sufficiently to permit the removal or insertion of the bushing 60. Entry of the ball in the socket positions the ball 114 between a shoulder 116a of the socket and the inner end of the hole 115 thereby to prevent further counterclockwise rotation of the nut 100. The ball 114 is automatically cammed back into the hole 115 by the bottom surface 116i) of the socket 116 as the nut is turned clockwise to advance the conductor 73 into the bushing 60.

The conductor 73 (FIG. 5) is shown in its advanced position. As conductor 73 is advanced by rotating the associated nut 100, the inner end 84 of the conductor engages a frusto-conical entrance surface 118 circumscribing the opening 67 in the inner casing hanger bushing 60 and causes the bushing 60 to be oriented in the casinghead. When the conductor 73 is completely advanced, the bore 32 therein is in register with the bore 67. Both of the conductors 73 and 74 are advanced to lock the bushing 60 in the casinghead 10. The inner end 84 of each conductor 73 and 74 is sealed to its associated surface 118 surrounding the bushing bores 67 and 68 by the metal-tometal contact therebetween. 119 (FIG. 5) in the forward end of the conductors 73 and 74 permits the extreme end portions 84a of the conductors to flex radially inward to achieve a more perfect seal against the associated surface 118.

It will be apparent that the two conductors 73 and 74 (FIG. 4) which engage the bushing 60, not only orient and lock the bushing but, through the bores 67, 68 and 82, establish communication between external well head equipment, such as a valve 120 (FIGS. 1 and 5), and the elongate annular space 69. The valve 120 is connected to the conductors 73 by a quick-change coupling 122 and controls the flow of fluid into and out of the annular space 69. If a valve such as the valve 120 is connected to the conductor 74 (FIG. 4), the plug 110 therein is removed.

The outlet orienting and locking conductors 53 (FIG. 3) are substantially the same in function as the conductors 73 and 74. Thus each conductor 53 has a central A circumferential groove 4 bore 132 which registers with the opening 48 and defines a flow passage between external well head equipment, not shown in FIG. 3, and the annular space 49 between the outer casing 30 and the inner casing 50. The conductors 53 are advanced and retracted by their associated operating nuts 134, and their frusto-conical inner ends 136 seal against frusto-conical surfaces 138 circumscribing the openings 48 in the outer casing hanger bushing 42, in the same manner as described in connection with the conductors 73 and 74.

The locking conductors 53 are of heavier construction than the conductors 73 or 74 because the conductors 53 (FIG. 1) support not only the weight of the outer casing hanger bushing 42, but also the entire weight of the inner casing 50. .The weight of the inner casing 50 is transmitted through the inner casing hanger assembly 54 and the seal 56 t0 the bushing 42.

Rather than internally threading the boss 71 of the casinghead 10 (FIG. 4), welded or bolted fittings 142 and 143, respectively, (FIG. 3) could be used. For example, the fitting 142 is welded to the boss 51, and the fitting 143 is bolted to the boss 52; the welded and bolted fittings receive their associated nuts 134.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that the apparatus is capable of modification and variation without departing from the principles of the invention and that the scope of the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The invention having been described, that which is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a well installation including a wellhead member circumscribing a bore and having a lateral passageway extending therethrough, and a tubular bushing supported within said head member and having a transverse passage extending therethrough, said passage having inner and outer ends, respectively, opening interiorly and exteriorly of the bushing, said bushing being rotatable within said head to bring said passage into axial alignment with said passageway; an orienting and locking conductor comprising a tubular shank axially slida=bly received in said passageway, said shank having inner and outer ends and an axial bore extending between said ends, means on the inner end of sand shank for moving said bushing into a position wherein said passage and said passageway are in precise axial alignment, and adjusting means mounted on the wellhead member for forcing the inner end of the shank into said passage and against said bushing in order to precisely align said passage and passageway if they were not previously in precise alignment and for withdrawing said inner end of said shank from said passage, the inner end of the shank and said bushing having means engageable in fluid tight relation with each other in circumscribing relation to the bore and passage when said adjusting means forces said inner end into said passage, said bore communicating with the interior of the bushing when said inner end of the shank is in said passage, said passage in said bushing being circumscribed by an outer, outwardly divergent frusto-conical surface, the inner end of said shank having an outer, inwardly convergent frusto-conical surface complementarily engageable with said frusto-conical surface of said bushing, said inner end of said shank having a circumferential groove for providing a flexible seal between said shank and said bushing.

2. In a well installation including a wellhead member circumscribing a bore and having a lateral passageway extending therethrough, and a tubular bushing supported within said member and having a passage extending therethrough and adapted to be placed in registration with said passageway, said passage having inner and outer ends respectively communicating interiorly and exteriorly of said bushing; a locking conductor comprising a tubular 5 shank axially slidably received in said passageway, said shank having inner and outer ends and an axial bore extending between said ends, said inner end of said shank having means for moving the bushing into a position wherein said passage and passageway are in precise coaxial alignment, said bore being of generally the same diameter as at least the inner end of said passage for conducting fluid into or out of said bushing, fluid flow controlling means connected to the outer end of the shank for controlling the flow of fluid through the bore, and adjusting means connected to the wellhead member and engaging the shank for imposing substantially only axial forces on said shank for moving said inner end of the shank into and out of said passage without rotating said shank and fluid flow controlling means, said bore communicating with the interior of the bushing when the inner end of the shank is in the passage, said passage in said bushing being circumscribed by an outer, outwardly divergent frusto-conical surface, the inner end of said shank having an outer, inwardly convergent frusto-conical surface complementarily engageable with said frustoconical surface of said bushing, there being means for providing a seal between said inner end of the shank and said bushing when said inner end is in said inner passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,849,374 3/1932 McEvoy, et a1. 166-89 1,944,840 1/1934 Humason 166--87 2,312,487 3/1943 Roach, et a1 16688 X 2,546,638 3/1951 Humason 166-88 2,577,068 12/1951 Baker 166-237 X 2,706,525 4/1955 Ruppert 15169 3,043,371 7/1962 Rector 166--86 3,078,921 2/1963 Edwards 16686 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

20 C. D. JOHNSON, J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN A WELL INSTALLATION INCLUDING A WELLHEAD MEMBER CIRCUMSCRIBING A BORE AND HAVING A LATERAL PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, AND A TUBULAR BUSHING SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID HEAD MEMBER AND HAVING A TRANSVERSE PASSAGE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, SAID PASSAGE HAVING INNER AND OUTER ENDS, RESPECTIVELY, OPENING INTERIORLY AND EXTERIORLY OF THE BUSHING, SAID BUSHING BEING ROTATABLE WITHIN SAID HEAD TO BRING SAID PASSAGE INTO AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PASSAGEWAY; AN ORIENTING AND LOCKING CONDUCTOR COMPRISING A TUBULAR SHANK AXIALLY SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY, SAID SHANK HAVING INNER AND OUTER ENDS AND AN AXIAL BORE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ENDS, MEANS ON THE INNER END OF SAND SHANK FOR MOVING SAID BUSHING INTO A POSITION WHEREIN SAID PASSAGE AND SAID PASSAGEWAY ARE IN PRECISE AXIAL ALIGNMENT, AND ADJUSTING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE WELLHEAD MEMBER FOR FORCING THE INNER END OF THE SHANK INTO SAID PASSAGE AND AGAINST SAID BUSHING IN ORDER TO PRECISELY ALIGN SAID PASSAGE AND PASSAGEWAY IF THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY IN PRECISE ALIGNMENT AND FOR WITHDRAWING SAID INNER END OF SAID SHANK FROM SAID PASSAGE, THE INNER END OF THE SHANK AND SAID BUSHING HAVING MEANS ENGAGEABLE IN FLUID TIGHT RELATION WITH EACH OTHER IN CIRCUMSCRIBING RELATION TO THE BORE AND PASSAGE WHEN SAID ADJUSTING MEANS FORCES SAID INNER END INTO SAID PASSAGE, SAID BORE COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE BUSHING WHEN SAID INNER END OF THE SHANK IS IN SAID PASSAGE, SAID PASSAGE IN SAID BUSHING BEING CIRCUMSCRIBED BY AN OUTER, OUTWARDLY DIVERGENT FRUSTO-CONICAL SURFACE, THE INNER END OF SAID SHANK HAVING AN OUTER, INWARDLY CONVERGENT FRUSTO-CONICAL SURFACE COMPLEMENTARILY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FRUSTO-CONICAL SURFACE OF SAID BUSHING, SAID INNER END OF SAID SHANK HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE FOR PROVIDING A FLEXIBLE SEAL BETWEEN SAID SHANK AND SAID BUSHING. 